The Atlantic Sun Conference and ESPN have teamed up to deliver exclusive content on its signature multi-screen sports network ESPN3. A total of 20 live league basketball games will be distributed in 2011-12. The addition of games on ESPN3 extends ESPN’s current five-year deal with the Atlantic Sun, which continues through the 2013-14 season.
ESPN3 will exclusively carry three Lipscomb basketball games this season, all originating from Allen Arena. The first broadcast will be the women’s game against cross-town rival Belmont on Feb. 4. The Bisons’ final two home games against USC Upstate (Feb. 18) and ETSU (Feb. 20) will also be broadcast. Each game is set to tip at 6:30 p.m.
“We are very excited about our expanded agreement with ESPN and the broad media exposure we’ll be providing for our institutions and our outstanding student-athletes,” said Commissioner Ted Gumbart. “This is a very big step for the A-Sun and we look forward to continued growth in our media package with ESPN moving forward.”
ESPN3 will be the home of the conference’s women’s basketball package, which highlights each A-Sun institution through five regular season games and all of the 2012 General Shale Brick Atlantic Sun Basketball Championship quarterfinal contests. A seven-game regular season men’s package, in addition to men’s quarterfinal action, will also be part of the exclusive agreement. The men’s basketball tournament championship game will air live on either ESPN or ESPN2 at 4:00 p.m. on March 3.
“ESPN3’s exclusive agreement with the Atlantic Sun Conference adds to our growing slate of programming and positions the network as a leading destination and key distribution outlet for college sports fans,” said Damon Phillips, Vice President of ESPN3. “We are looking forward to delivering these games throughout the season across all screens.”
The Atlantic Sun and ESPN have a long-standing relationship that first began with the airing of the conference’s tournament title game back in 1989. For the past three seasons, all of the conference’s CSS/A-Sun Friday Night Game of the Week contests have been available on the ESPN Full Court package and on ESPN3.
ESPN3 is ESPN’s live multi-screen sports network, a 24/7 destination that delivers thousands of global sports events annually and accessible online via WatchESPN.com. It is available to approximately 70 million homes at no cost to fans who receive a high-speed Internet connection or video subscription from an affiliated provider. The network is also available at no cost to approximately 21 million U.S. college students and U.S.-based military personnel via computers connected to on-campus educational networks and on-base military networks. It can be accessed on smartphones and tablets via the WatchESPN app and on ESPN on Xbox LIVE through an affiliated provider.
The Atlantic Sun Conference is an NCAA Division I league with 10 member institutions committed to Building Winners for Life. The A-Sun meets the challenge of maintaining the highest standards in academic and athletic achievement with a true balance between student and athlete. Headquartered in Macon, Ga., the A-Sun boasts six of the top eight media markets in the Southeast. The A-Sun includes a blend of the most prestigious and dynamic private and public institutions in the region: Belmont University, East Tennessee State University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Jacksonville University, Kennesaw State University, Lipscomb University, Mercer University, University of North Florida, University of South Carolina Upstate and Stetson University.